Training with electronic collar

[go24]

I thinking about starting a new dog one of these days. I was just wondering what you guys thought about using an electronic collar. What experiences have you had? Do you reccomend it or not and why? Does it really speed the process? Thanks

[B.LONG]

My dog was not trained with one, but he is a very pain fearing dog. I can raise my voice at him and he knows it is time to pay attention. He was trained from the 'GUN DOG' book just w/out the training collar. I have hunted over several dogs with training collars. It sure does make a huge difference. They will go from being a clown to blue ribbon winner in a matter of seconds after that first pop of the morning. I think it all depends on the pain threshold of the dog whether or not you want to use training collars.

[goosebruce]

If you can't train without a collar, you can't train with one. Cause everything is taught without, and the collar only comes in after the teaching is done. Yes it speeds things up dramaticaly, good or bad. Best money you'll spend, join a retriever club, and spend some times around folks doing it for a while. No doubt once you get around collars and dog people, you'll never consider any other way. But don't go it alone, worst thing in the world is to strap it on, and go to town on spot next time he blows you off...Mo to it than that. travis

[banded]

I have a male chessy and he was trained with one. I always said that I wouldn't put a collar on him bc he was trained hard with one. However I decided to breed him with a buddy's female chessy, and it changed his prioritys.. He thinks he should get booty first and then hunt... ex.. let him out of the truck and he catches sent of a bitch and goes on his way.. he thinks he shouldn't have to listen.. So I tried the collar and its like turning on a light switch.. He knows its time for the bs to stop when he has the collar on.. Don't ever have to really hit it on him, but can if he starts being a hard headed fool... just my .02 (my hen says that I need a collar to keep my mind off booty) he he.. can't get to mad at the chessy.. im in the same boat!

[chance]

Be careful with all the accolades concerning the ecollar. As with any tool, it is as good as the hands that are using it. Dogs also get collar-wise. That is they know when it is on and when it is not and behave or respond accordingly.
I would advise anyone considering using an ecollar to get some advice from someone they know that uses one with success. It be just as bad as it can be good.

[RobertM]

Not insulting you. But if you don't know what you are doing with it. You can ruin your dog. I bought one and couldn't return it quick enough. I didn't have a clue about how to use it and in 10 minutes, I ruined by dog for 3 months. For a while, if I told him to do anything, he would go climb under the house, truck, or whatever else he could find. He was afraid he was gonna get lit up with that collar. My dog is obviously a pus, but it was my fault. I had a pretty well minding dog before that. Luckily he's back to normal now.

[Model12]

I believe that in the hands of a jam-up trainer, the e-collar is a very useful tool. Only problem is...how many more collars are there, than jam-up trainers? In other words, there must be a whole bunch of idiots out there with e-collars.... [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Bobby Williams]

About the ecollar. I have been around this longer than I want to remember. I have seen an electric collar in the wrong hands ruin a dog for life. If I were new and had never trained a dog before I would go to a good seminar about training with the collar.I have found myself when training wanting to burn my dog to no ends. You have to keep a level head. I have not seen Mike Lardy's tape (can't afford it) but those who have say it is a good training tape. The most important thing I have learned about dogs is there are no two alike. What works for one might not for the other. Anyway good luck and be careful.

[banded]

there is a thing called collar conditioning that has to be done on a dog before really trying to use a collar.... Yes everybody is correct saying you can ruin a dog if you just slap it on and start burning them, but if you use it right, it is a great tool... but opioions are like well you know...

[h2o_dog]

I have used an e-collar to train my last 5 retrievers. I think it is a great tool, but bear in mind that twice as many dogs have been ruined by e-collars than have been helped by them. Train yourself before using it. Condition the dog before training with it. I did it the wrong way for quite a while early on, because no one back then really knew what to do with an e-collar on a retriever. The e-collar was originally invented to trash break hounds - newer collar technology and new techniques have made it a great tool for retrievers, but use caution and wisdom.

[acendhole]

I agree with all these post. I used a collar to train my dog, but I used it lightly. It is a reinforcer, only. Teach the dog, and when he knows what to do, and don't, then reinforce with the collar. E-collars are a great tool, but educate yourself first. Train the trainer.

[go24]

Thanks guys for the good advice. I've been fortunate after the first dog trained me, I got a pup that was a natural. She never needed anything other than a scolding. I'd hate know that i abused a dog with an ecollar or ruined a good one. Modern technology can be helpful, so i was seeking input from those who had been there.